“I wonder what information you hold,” he said smiling to himself as he stuffed the gadget into his suit and made his way back through the skylight and onto the roof. They zip lined back across and rendezvoused with Coach.
“How’s he doing sir?” asked Jaime
“See for yourself,” said Sean passing over the binoculars. He turned off all the ear pieces too.
Although Andrew was using his angelic powers, he just wasn’t strong enough to stand toe to toe with Azazel.
“Jeeeze coach we’ve gotta do something, Andy is getting his ass kicked!”
Sean looked woeful, “I don’t know if we can.” All 3 boys looked worried.
“What do you mean coach?” quizzed Josh, “He defeated Anak; he can defeat this guy too, right?” Sean gathered his thoughts.
“This Leslie Eza actually goes by the name of Azazel.”
Adam sat pondering for a few seconds, and then it clicked. “Ahhh now I see it. Lezlie Eza is a Pseudonym.” Sean carried on,
“Azazel is no ordinary demon. He’s literally the highest ranking in hell, one under Lucifer himself. He is fiercely loyal and ruthlessly cutthroat. Andrew’s father told me about him. He encountered him many times on the battlefield. He’s Lucifer’s right hand man and exceptionally skilled in everything imaginably evil. This guy has decimated scores of high ranking angelic warriors and Andrew is only a Nephilim. He doesn’t stand a chance. He could finish this fight at any point. For all we know he’s just toying with him.”
Andrew was slowly becoming exhausted. Although moving sluggishly and breathing heavy he still maintained his will to carry on. He had taken a lot of blows during the fight that were slowly taking their toll on him. Deep down he knew he couldn’t keep it up but he wasn’t going to go down without a fight. Azazel looked on unscathed. He had taken some damage but not anywhere near enough to have any substantial detrimental effect on him.
The group began to panic and become agitated. They argued over what to do next. They couldn’t sit by and watch Andrew get killed but at the same time if they tried to intervene they would surely be killed themselves.
Jaime didn’t take his eyes away from the binoculars as he checked to see if his best friend was still standing, “Dammit! He looks really bad.” Climbing back into the vehicle he urged Adam to think of something. “Isn’t this one of those moments where you come up with a brilliant idea or some shit?” he said.
Adam tapped his chin for a few minutes and looked around the truck for anything that could help.
“Wait!” he shouted with ecstatic hope. The entire group fell silent to listen.
“Azazel is a demon right? And what do we have on us right now?”
Sean realised where he was going with his questioning, “The ring!” he exclaimed. Adam explained that if they gave Andrew the ring to wear he could control Azazel to stand down.
“But we need the Key of Solomon for it to work.” stated Sean.
“Not necessarily,” answered Adam. “I’ve been researching the Key of Solomon over the last few days. The book itself is an instruction manual to cast spells and conjure demons but the Star of David is where the actual power lies. We don’t need to cast a spell over Azazel we just need to control him for long enough so we can escape.”
The boys desperately looked at each other then to Sean for affirmation. Sean knew it was risky. He turned the ear comms back on and called out to Andrew.
“Andrew, you there?” there was a terrifying silence for a few seconds. Then the moans and groans of a tired and worn out man came rippling through the speakers.
“Yeah I’m here coach. What happened, the ear communications cut out?”
“A.R we are on our way to you now.” pleaded Sean.
“Wait! You can’t come here, this guy’s too strong, he’ll kill you all.” Implored Andrew.
“Don’t worry A.R we have a plan. Just stay alive for another 5 minutes, ok.”
Andrew sighed begrudgingly and spat out the blood from his mouth, “easier said than done.”
Wiping the red stream from his lips he slowly stood to his feet. Nursing his ribs he painfully took up a fighting stance and smiled. Azazel couldn’t understand why he was in such high spirits, as his demise was close at hand.
“Why do you give expressions of joy, Mr Robertson? Has it not sunk in that your destruction is inevitable?” boasted Azazel. He charged towards Andrew, who threw a right hook, which was easily dodged. Grabbing him by the throat, Azazel hoisted Andrew into the air. Struggling to breathe in a chokehold, Andrew wriggled desperately, trying to free himself.
“Pathetic. How you bested Anak I will never understand. Did you actually think you had a chance at defeating me?”Azazel beat his chest triumphantly with his free hand.
As he tried to squirm free Andrew could hear the oncoming growl that resounded from the Hummers engine. Recognizing his friends were closer, he used the last amount of effort he had and reached for the gun in his holster. His breathing restricted, he forced the words out,
“My plan was never to defeat you Azazel. It was to distract you.”
At that instant Azazel’s face turned from one of sweet victory to a startling realization he had been tricked. He looked up at his office but was distracted by the loud screeching of the truck as it swerved round the corner. Andrew used the opportunity to aim his gun at the eye of Azazel and let off a point-blank range shot directly into his pupil. Howling uncontrollably in pain he dropped Andrew immediately and covered the wound with his hands. It was the opening Andrew needed and he quickly distanced himself from the momentarily injured Leslie Eza.
Pulling up next to him, the Hummer doors swung open and Adam hopped out the back and helped Andrew to his feet. Jaime and Josh fixed their laser guided weapons on Azazel, just in case they needed more time.
“You don’t look so fresh champ.” said Adam.
Andrew was sporting a black eye, cut lips, bruises all over his face and held his side, implicating a rib injury. He laughed, “Never felt better.” Adam handed him the ring. Andrew took a few seconds to admire its craftsmanship. As he did so Azazel had already began healing and was now back on his feet and slowly walking towards them enraged.
“You bunch of adolescent vermin. First I’m going to kill your friends in front of you Mr. Robertson. Slowly, so you can indulge in their suffering. Then I will deal with you!” The driver side door suddenly swung open.
Coach stepped out holding an M4 Carbine equipped with a M203 grenade launcher, much to the surprise of Azazel. He aimed the weapon directly at him.
“Who you calling adolescent?” he retorted.
“Is that the infamous Mr. Stevens? Finally decided to join us have you. Well I’m glad you’re here. These annoying miscreants can now watch me devour their mentor. What’s the term you earth folk use, ‘killing two birds with one stone’.”
Sean stood prone, unfazed. His weapon was steadily aimed.
“On my mark boys.”
Josh and Jaime awaited the order. Azazel started walking towards them, and with each step, he quickened his pace until he was fully charging at them.
The palms of Sean’s hand became sweatier as he patiently waited for the right moment. His grip grew tighter on the guns handle and his senses more acute. Tunnel vision set in as he focused his aim. Everything seemed to slow down around him. The raindrops from the night’s sky seemed to splash and ricochet off him in slow motion but this did not distract him. His heart beat faster and louder. “Clooooser….clooooser,” he muttered to himself.
“Now! Open fire.” he shouted.
Jaime and Josh let off round after round into Azazel’s direction. The bullets pierced through the rainfall with expert precision. Although they were specially designed for demonic foes, they weren’t enough to stop Azazel but they did the job in slowing him down, dropping him to one knee. As they reloaded, Azazel’s body began repairing itself and again he advanced on them. Sean stood in front of the hummer and waited for the demon to get clo
ser. Lunging through the air, Azazel looked like a bird of prey swooping down to devour his target but instead was met with the smell of gunpowder, smoke and a large booming noise. In mid-flight Coach shot a grenade round at Azazel, sending him flying through the air backwards, shattering the glass windows of the Windsor lodge and into the lobby.
As this all took place Adam explained to Andrew to put the ring on. In doing so, he would be able to control Azazel for a short period of time, as long as he was in the same vicinity. Andrew put the ring on and instantly felt a warm sensation ignite throughout his body. The ring began to glisten then the star on the front started glowing as it adjusted to its new host. His eyes emitted the same fiery orange glow the ring did, then returned to normal.
Andrew looked at his hands and squeezed his fingers in and out. “I feel it. The rings power, I feel it.”
Azazel began to stir after being momentarily incapacitated. Brushing the broken glass and debris off, he rose to his feet infuriated. He let out a reverberating roar which shook the building to its core. The boys had already reloaded their weapons and took up aim once again.
“How do I use this thing then?” questioned Andrew.
Adam shrugged, “I dunno, point and play?”
“Point and play? What the hell is that.” panicked Andrew.
“Ya know, like plug and play. I don’t know all the mechanics behind it but from what I’ve seen in the key of Solomon you just need to aim the ring at the demon you want to control. Seems pretty straight forward to me.” explained Adam.
Andrew looked at his friend with an uneasy reassurance but nevertheless made his way to confront Azazel in the lobby one last time.
Azazel summoned two of his personal security force to his side. They appeared human at first but then showed traits of demonic origin too as they’re eyes flickered red with an otherworldly hellish glow. He ordered them to attack the group whilst he dealt with Andrew. As they left to engage his friends, Andrew shouted at the top of voice, “Stop!”
The two demonic minions immediately froze in place. Azazel looked on puzzled. “What are you doing?! Did I command you to halt? Destroy them now!” he ordered frustratingly. But to his aggravations, both of his evil henchmen just stood there, unresponsive to his commands. It was like they were stuck in a trance. Clicking his fingers to garner their attention did nothing and an enraged Azazel turned his gaze upon Andrew.
“What have you done to them?” he asked
Andrew gave no answer. Instead he smiled smugly. This provoked Azazel into an incensed state.
“If you don’t wish to tell me willingly then I will make you.” snarled Azazel.
He rushed towards Andrew, but was met with a sight that changed his temperament altogether. As he got within a few feet, Andrew outstretched his arm. His hand opened up wide and The Star of David shone bright on his finger. Azazel automatically knew what it was but was helpless to do anything. Again Andrew commanded, “Stop!”
Azazel was now paralyzed on the spot. He found himself motionless. His eyes were void of emotion and cognition, along with the two other demons. Their collective stare was now focused solely on the ring. Andrew took a sigh of relief and began to use the ring against them.
He ordered Azazel to power down and he complied immediately, reverting back to his human form. Then Andrew commanded him to repair all the damage the lobby had taken during their battle.
Next, he knew he couldn’t send the fallen angel back to hell because he needed the Key of Solomon to do so. However he needed to buy himself and his team some time to escape so improvised a plan. He marched Azazel and his two bodyguards up to the 9th floor. Once he got there he was met with tiny resistance as the security guards present were also demonically created and fell under his will too. Using them, he gained access to the vault and locked Azazel and a handful of his henchman inside. Once secured he hastily made his way back to his friends.
Sean and the boys waited patiently for Andrew’s arrival. They didn’t know what to expect but felt reassured when they saw the familiar figure of their friend emerge from the staircase and make his way back into the lobby. Josh and Adam rushed to help their friend as he was clearly worse for wear. They helped Andrew inside the truck and Sean drove off.
Adam tended to the minor wounds that littered Andrew’s body. Examining his body, he confirmed that he had broken ribs and torn some muscle but was ok overall. He removed the ring and handed it to Josh. Exhausted from the night’s ordeal, he was slowly gripped by fatigue and drifted off into a deep sleep.
“You think he’s gonna be ok Coach?” asked Jaime.
Sean concentrated on the road but peered back to have a quick glimpse of his young prodigy.
“He’s a strong kid. Like his father. He’ll be ok.”
He then turned back to the road ahead and carried on driving, but not before congratulating the boys on a mission well done.
An hour had passed on the drive back. Most of the team had succumbed to tiredness and the long journey home had sent Andrew, Adam and Josh to sleep. Jaime had joined Sean in the front of the car. He looked exhausted but remained vigilant. Sean could sense something was up.
“How you holding up son?” asked Coach.
Jaime daydreamed for a few seconds before answering, “Sir, with all due respect, I know our mission went according to plan, but…” he paused, still contemplating an answer. Sean urged him to speak.
“Sir, don’t you think we defeated Azazel far too easily. I mean you said it yourself, he’s no average demon. It just seems too easy.”
Sean began to ponder over Jaime’s words. As he was just about to give an answer, he was interrupted by the erratic mumblings of Andrew. Jaime looked back and laughed. “He still talks in sleep. Been doing it since we were kids.”
They dismissed the noises and carried on with their conversation but a few minutes later were interrupted again. This time when Jaime looked back, Andrew was tossing and turning in his sleep. His mumblings had gotten louder, as if he was suffering discomfort. Jaime rushed into the back of the truck and tried to calm a still asleep Andrew. Touching his head, he could feel a slight temperature.
“Coach he’s burning up.”
Sean instructed him to put a cooler pack from the first aid box on his head. Jaime placed the cold bag on Andrew’s forehead but was startled by what happened next. Immediately as the ice cold sensation touched his skin, Andrew shot out of his sleep.
“He’s coming! He’s coming!”
Jaime tried to steady Andrew, who seemed to be in shock. “Calm down A.R. Who’s coming?”
“Azazel. He’s coming. I can feel him, he’s near!”
Jaime automatically felt like his inner feelings towards the nights events had been justified. “I knew it!” he exclaimed. “It was way too easy.”
The commotion woke up Josh and Adam.
“What’s with the noise guys?” asked Josh. Jaime threw him a gun and told him to get ready. Sean quickly briefed them that the ordeal wasn’t over just yet. Adam jumped onto the computer and scanned their immediate vicinity for any signs of Azazel. Andrew sat up slowly, still sore from his wounds and grabbed a handgun. As he did so a loud thud on the roof of the hummer caused the truck to skid off balance. Everyone inside immediately looked towards the ceiling of the vehicle nervously. The sound of the safeties coming off echoed through the car as they all armed themselves and pointed their firearms at the top of the truck. A haunting silence ensued as they waited. Suddenly a hand came ripping through the metal. The boys immediately opened fire and the claw retreated back out of the hole.
Sean shouted into the back of the car, “Buckle up guys.”
All the boys fastened their seatbelts as Coach increased the speed of the truck. They were racing down a dual carriage way at top speed when out of nowhere; Sean applied the brakes strongly, causing the vehicle to come to a screeching halt. In doing so the force flung Azazel off of the roof and into the road ahead but he landed comfortably and unscathed. He was a
few yards in distance from the Hummer and was locked in a head to head with the armoured truck.
“Hold on.” Said Sean as he began to rev the engine.
Azazel stood firm and ready. He had a wicked grin on his face as he knew what Sean was preparing to do. He began to run towards them with intentions of colliding with the hummer head on. Sean sped off also, with the same idea. The tyres burned with smoke from the friction of the increased speed as the hummer got closer and closer. Sean braced for impact but at the last second Azazel disappeared.
Reluctant to stop Sean kept going. He told Adam to scan the area for Azazel but the radar couldn’t pick up anything. As they came off the dual carriage way they turned into a road that was leading through a huge forest. It was a dark and eerie road, surrounded in a haunting fog. Sean put the trucks lights on to full beam but just as he did so Azazel suddenly reappeared. This time he had morphed into a giant black mass and covered the entire windscreen. Sean couldn’t see where he was going and careered off the road into the nearby woodland. The difference in terrain could be felt as Sean tried to manoeuvre the hummer to a safe stop but couldn’t gain control of the vehicle as it bounced up and down vigorously.
Andrew quickly asked for the ring back from Josh. He put it on and made his way to the front of the car slowly, staggering and off balance. Azazel’s face manifested in the black blob and he hissed at the sight of the ring before making a hasty retreat and disappearing into the darkness of the trees.
Once his vision had been restored Sean found himself heading down a steep hill. He tried his best to swerve and avoid the oncoming trees but this proved difficult. As he neared the bottom of the hill Azazel appeared again. Charging in from the right hand side of the vehicle, Azazel hit the hummer with mammoth supernatural force. The collision with the demon sent the vehicle spinning wildly out of control and rolling turbulently into a tree.
The dent in the side panel looked like the vehicle had been hit by a tank. The driver side was completely flattened against the side of the tree. The way the hummer had fallen could have only resulted in serious injury to Sean, or more worryingly, death. Smoke rose from the engine as it lay, wrapped around a great oak. The smell of leaking petrol began to fill the air. The scene looked like a fatal mess of twisted metallic carnage. However, the passenger door suddenly swung open. A gold hand emerged from the wreckage.
Nephilim Page 22